Notion’s CEO recently revealed that 10% of their profits now go towards AI bills. That’s a significant shift for a SaaS company—and a warning sign for founders.
AI was supposed to get cheaper. Instead, it’s becoming a major expense. The latest models are smarter, yes, but they also consume far more tokens. Especially when used for agent workflows, deep research, or coding tasks, the costs can spiral quickly.
As a founder, you don’t always need the most advanced model. With clever prompts and a bit of experimentation, your team can often achieve great results using smaller or open models. This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about designing solutions that fit your business needs.
From my book Founder Catalyst, I’ve written about the hidden costs of adopting new technologies. With AI, these include:
- Time spent learning new tools and interfaces
- Integration challenges across teams
- Legal risks from unlicensed datasets
- Vendor lock-in and platform dependency
AI can bring productivity and a competitive advantage. But it must be implemented with clarity and expertise.
Design before deploy. Profits still matter.
If you’re a founder or CXO thinking of scaling AI across your organisation, don’t do it blindly. AI is not just another tool—it’s a shift in how your teams think, build, and deliver. But without the right guidance, it can also become a costly distraction.
As a founder and CEO, with over 30 years in tech and a front-row seat to every major platform shift—from desktop to mobile to cloud—I help leaders cut through the noise. My keynotes and masterclasses are not about hype. They’re about clarity, context, and practical frameworks your team can act on.
Let’s talk if your team needs:
- A clear-eyed view of what AI can (and can’t) do
- Real-world examples of how startups and enterprises are using AI
- A roadmap to adopt AI responsibly, without burning budgets
You don’t need more AI tools. You need better AI thinking.
For keynote inquiries, call Kural through WhatsApp or write to v@test.sobr.digital.
